Virtuoso new music for violin expertly performed by Movses Pogossian.

Four world premieres highlight this second recording by Movses Pogossian for Albany Records, including works by the esteemed Hungarian composer György Kurtág and Tigran Mansurian, who is acknowledged as the greatest living Armenian composer. Recorded in Armenia, this was a very personal project for violinist Movses Pogossian as he spent the first 20 years of his life there. Pogossian is a prizewinner of the 1986 Tchaikovsky International Competition and the 1985 USSR National Violin Competition. A committed proponent of new music, Movses Pogossian has premiered more than 40 works. He is the recipient of the 2011 Forte Award from Jacaranda, given for outstanding contributions to the promotion of new music and modern music. Active as a chamber musician, recitalist and soloist, Pogossian made his debut at the Darmstadt Festival in Germany in 2008 and has performed with the Boston Pops, the Tucson Symphony and the Halle Orchestra in Germany, among others.

Review:

"Across a seemingly limitless range of timbres, nuances and–not least–dynamic levels, everything is perfectly in focus and immediate. By no means does such control compromise expressive force. On the contrary, because every gesture–every note–is exactly as it is, with no weakening by approximation or gradual approach, the music's voice is at once impeccable and strong." (Paul Griffiths)

"Movses Pogossian plays...with dazzling precision. ...This CD will be of interest to all who treasure...music from the great Armenian tradition." (Fanfare)